Capsule precision printing apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

Capsules having a body portion and a cap portion are subjected to air jets, partially separating the body portion and the cap portion. Limit stops are provided for limiting the extent of separation to a precision length. The capsules may then be printed with precision spacing on the cap portion or body portion, or both.

United States Patent Ackley Mar. 4, 1975 CAPSULE PRECISION PRINTING2.630.953 3/195; Kath 53/381 R x D 2,857,039 10/195 Whitecar 198/33 ACAPPARATUS AND METHO 2,995,883 3/1961 Aubry et al 53/381 A [75] Inventor:Edward M- A kl y, ne Harbor, 3,424,082 1/1969 Gray, Jr. 101/40 NJ.3,534,526 10/1970 Hostetler et a1. 53/381 A X 3,581,377 6/1971 McKni ht29/200 D X [731 Asslgneel Harman Company, 3,760,166 9/1973 Adams et a1221/278 x Philadelphia, Pa.

7 9 Med Sept 4 1973 PHI/1611')E.\'(1H1IIII--Cilff0l'd D. Crowder [21]Appl. No.: 393,964

[52] US. Cl 101/40. 101/426, 29/200 D, 57 ABSTRACT 29/427, 118/62,198/267, 198/D1G. 4 [51] 'f Cl 17/36 865g 47/24: Capsules having a bodyportion and a cap portion are [58] Field Of Search 101/35-40, Subjectedto air jets, partially Separating the y p 29/200 D, 239, 427, 421, 4 153/381 A, 381 tion and the cap portion. Limit stops are provided for K14; 198/33 33 33 limiting the extent of separation to a precisionlength.

33 The capsules may then be printed with precision spacing on the capportion or body portion, or both. [56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 15 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 2,620.961 12/1952 Wahl et a] 53/381R 7 PAIEMEBH R 4mm SHEU 1 [1F 3 mm V PATENTEBW '41975 SHEET 3 0f 3CAPSULE PRECISION PRINTING APPARATUS AND METHOD INTRODUCTION Thisinvention relates to a precision apparatus and method for separatingpartially the cap portion and the body portion of a capsule.

The invention relates particularly to a printing apparatus wherein aplurality of capsules may be taken from the hopper or the like wherethey are disposed in a random arrangement, then disposed in a uniformmanner transversely on a conveyor, and then subjected to a partialseparation of the cap and the body portions, providing a partiallyseparated capsule having a precision length. At this point the capsulesare preferably arranged with their axes disposed at approximately rightangles to the path of movement of the conveyor, and in this position thecapsules are ideally arranged for spin printing, using a printing rollwhich is driven at a peripheral speed which is greater than the conveyorspeed.

BACKGROUND OF THE V INVENTION Marking machines of various types havebeen widely used commercially for marking indicia on a multiplicity ofobjects all of which have essentially the same size and shape. Forexample, machines have been success fully used for applying torelatively small articles such as pharmaceutical capsules, pellets,pills and the like, markings such as numbers, letters, manufacturerstrademarks and other characterizing symbols for the purpose of readyidentification. However, in most commercial procedures, particularly inthe pharmaceutical industry, one of the primary objects of marking hasbeen to prevent counterfeiting of products and of materials containedtherein. In order to achieve this purpose, it has been highly desirableto apply an extremely accurate marking, having such a finely detailedcharacter that counterfeiting is difficult or virtually impossible.

In recent years especially, capsules have been designed which include amechanical self-locking structure. In use, the manufacturer can fill thebody portion with a pharmaceutical powder and may then slide the caplengthwise telescopically over the cap portion until the self-lockingfeatures locks the two in place. This is a deterrent to the substitutionof a counterfeit drug by unscrupulous persons later on because it isalmost impossible to remove the genuine drug from the capsule withoutdestroying the capsule itself. However, because of the precision lengthswhich are attributable to the mechanical self-locking feature, precisionspacings are also required in connection with the printing operation.Further, when the indicia to be printed upon the capsule are ratherlarge in size, it is necessary to print the capsule when the cap portionand the body portion are at least partially separated from each other,followed by telescoping them into locking position later on.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is accordingly an object of this inventionto provide an automatic machine which is capable of handling amultiplicity of capsules which are arranged completely at random in acontainer such as a feed hopper for example, and for precision printingthe capsule at a predetermined overall length in which the cap portionand body portion are partially separated from each other.

Llt

It is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus of thetype referred to in which large numbers of capsules may be handled insuccession with precision accuracy. Another object is to provide forprecision printing of self-locking capsules.

Other objects and advantages of this invention, including the simplicityand economy of the samefand the ease in which it may be adapted to highspeed spin printing of capsules, will readily become apparenthereinafter and in the drawings.

Drawings FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation, with certain parts shown insection, illustrating the principal components of a capsule printingmachine including one .form of cap and body separating apparatusaccording to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective with certain parts broken away and shownin section in order to reveal important details, showing details of theoverall arrangement of the cap and body separating apparatus shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated by the linesand arrows IIIIII which appear in FIG. 1; 1

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view looking down upon the capsuleorienting and separating portion of the apparatus, taken as indicated bythe lines and arrows IV-IV which appear in FIG. 3; and

FIGS. 5 and 6 are sectional views taken as indicated by the lines andarrows V-V and VI-VI, respectively, which appear in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS The followingdescription is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, asdefined in the appended claims, but will be presented in specific termsin order more clearly to describe the construction and operation of theparticular forms of the invention that have been selected forillustration in the drawings.

Turning to FIG. 1, the number 20 designates a capsule carrying hopperwhich is mounted on a suitable support (not shown), above a portion of arotatable cylinder or drum 21 which is mounted for rotation about anaxle 22. A motor (not shown) is provided for rotating the cylinder 21.The hopper 20 has an opening as indicated at 23 for delivery of capsulesC to a plurality of equally spaced, generally elongated cavities 24which are formed in and extend across the outer surface of the rotatablecylinder 21. It will be observed that the capsule cavities haveelongated portions which extend in a generally radial direction,allowing the capsules to be received by the cylinder 21 in generallyradial positions. As will become apparent in further detail hereinafter,some of the capsules naturally fall into the cavities 24 in an uprightposition, with the body portions above the cap portions, while othercapsules fall naturally into the cavities 24 in an inverted position,with the cap portions above the body portions.

Specific details of the apparatus (a) for shifting the capsules fromtheir generally radial position to the transverse position shown at thebottom of the cylinder 21, FIG. 1, and (b) for depositing them in arectified relationship on a conveyor 47 with all of the caps extendingto one side and all of the body portions extending to the other side,are completely described in separate U.S. applications of Edward M.Ackley, respectively, Ser. No. 399,817, filed Sept. 24, 1973 and Ser.No. 393,939, filed Sept. 4, 1973, and do not of themselves form a partof this invention. However, it may be stated that the number designatesa plurality of (optional) longitudinally-directed air jets which arearranged to provide blasts of air in a direction generally along thedirection D in which the rotatable cylinder 21 is rotating. The number26 designates another group of air jets, which are directedsubstantially crosswise of the machine, which tend to shift the capsulesin a crosswise direction as appears in FIG. 1, in order to bring aboutthis crosswise or, optionally, rectified relationship. It should beunderstood, however, that in many instances this invention may bepracticed with or without such rectification.

The number 27 designates a stationary vacuum chest which is locatedimmediately adjacent to the inner surface of the cylinder 21 and whichserves to assist in the introduction of the capsules into theircavities, the influence of the vacuum being effected through small holes28 which extend through inner portions of the cylinder 21 into thecapsule cavities 24.

The number 29 designates a rotating brush which serves to straighten outany capsules that might be lying in an angular position, as opposed tothe upright position illustrated in FIG. 1, and which bears upon theuppermost end of each capsule, assuring that its length does not exceeda predetermined value which is equal to the distance from the bottom ofthe capsule pocket to the approximate periphery of the brush.

The number 30 designates a chest comprising a source of warm air locatedadjacent to the bottom of the cylinder 21, which serves to assist in thegravity release and transfer of the capsules from a bottom portion ofthe cylinder 21 onto a conveyor belt 47, with the capsule axessubstantially perpendicular to the direction of belt travel.

A curved plate 32 is arranged in closely-spaced relation to the lower,outer surface of cylinder 21, preventing the capsules from fallingprematurely by gravity out of their capsule cavities 24. However, suchplate 32 terminates just short of the bottom of the cylinder 21, thusliberating the capsules to move by gravity, and under the influence ofthe warm air, onto the individual capsule carriers 33 carried by theconveyor 31.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the number designates apparatus for spacingout the cap and body portions to a limited degree in order to provide anenlarged and exact overall length for each capsule, in accordance withthis invention. This apparatus 40 is supported on a rod 41 which carriesa pair of spaced-apart sleeves 42 each having an arm 43 supporting anair pipe 44'each of which introduces compressed air into atransverselyextending air chamber 45 which is located in a stationaryadjustable position directly above the capsule conveyor 47 upon whichthe capsules are disposed. A plurality of spaced, upper retainer bars 46are secured to the bottom of the air chamber 45 and extend in alongitudinal direction with respect to the path of movement of theconveyor 47 just above the conveyor 47. Air passages, to he described infurther detail, extend from the chamber 45 through the bars 46.

Another pair of sleeves 48, 48 carry another pair of spaced-apart arms50 from which is suspended a yoke 51 which carries a plurality ofequally spaced capsule orienting bars 52 which will be described infurther detail hereinafter.

Further in connection with FIG. 1, it will be appreciated that an offsetprinting apparatus 60 is shown, for applying printed indicia to thecapsules. An ink reservoir 61 applies ink to an etched roll 62 whichtransfers the indicia to a rubber printing roll 63 which prints uponeach capsule C as it passes by on the conveyor 47.

As appears in more detail in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the spacedrelationship of the upper retainer bars 46 with respect to each other,across the width of the conveyor, will become more readily apparent.Also, it will be observed that the capsule orienting bars 52 are alsospaced apart from each other and extend across the width of the conveyorand project upstream of the spacer bars 46. Thus it will be apparentthatthe capsules travelling upon the conveyor 47 first reach the taperedtip ends 64 of the bars 52 and later pass beneath the bars 46.

FIG. 3 of the drawings shows the capsules C in a typical arrangement onthe conveyor 47, each capsule being carried by its own carrier and inline to pass between the bars 52. The upper retaine-r bars 46 extenddownwardly from the air chamber 45 in a position to direct a jet of air(or other fluid) downwardly against the juncture or seam at which thecap portions and body portions of the capsules are joined.

FIG. 4 shows the capsules entering into the space between respectivecapsule orienting bars 52 in a position to pass directly under theretainer bars 46. The number 72 designates a plurality of air jetopenings which extend down through the retainer bars 46 in a manner todirect jets of air against the capsule seams.

FIG. 5 shows the manner in which the capsule orienting bars 52 contact acapsule which may be lying in an angular position, as shown in dot-dashlines in FIG. 5, causing the capsule to slide to its normal horizontalposition extending transversely in its carrier 70.

FIG. 6 shows the manner in which the air jet passes downwardly throughthe opening 72 through an expanded jet opening 73, impinges upon thecapsule seam and partially separates the cap portion and the bodyportion from the positions shown in dot and dash lines in FIG. 6, to theposition shown in solid lines in FIG. 6. The extent of such axialmovement, as indicated by the arrows appearing in FIG. 6, is limited byend stops formed in the shapes of the cavities in the carrier 70 or, insome cases by the bars 52, 52 thus providing a precision length for thecapsule.

It will be apparent that with this precision length established, eachcapsule continues its movement on the conveyor 47 until it passes underand in contact with printing roll 63 as shown in FIG. 1, at which time aprecision printing operation takes place.

It should be noted that when it is desired to apply rather large indiciato either the cap portion or the body portion of the capsule appearingin FIG. 6, or both, this is made possible because of the precisionlength that has been achieved. Thus, one may print very close to theseam with an exact knowledge of the amount of spacing that is required.Thus, even with a self-locking capsule, the printed indicia may beapplied quite close to the intended limit with respect to the same, andthe body portion and the cap portion can then be telescopicallycollapsed together until the locking point is reached, whereupon theprinted indicia are located at the exact position that is desired withrespect to the final relative locations of the body. and cap.

Although this invention has been described in conjunction with certainspecific forms and modifications thereof, it will be appreciated that awide variety of other modifications can be made without departing fromthe spirit of the invention. For example, some of the features of theinvention may be used independently of other features, including the useor non-use of the vacuum chest 27 or the warm air chest 30 and the useor non-use of the apparatus for rectifying the capsules. Indeed, theapparatus of this invention is capable of uses independent of spinprinting, although it is admirably adapted for that use.

Additionally, in accordance with this invention, various equivalentelements may be substituted for those shown and specifically described,and in many instances parts may be reversed in ways which will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art, all without departing from thescope and spirit of this invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for processing a capsule having interfittedlongitudinally relatively slidable body and cap members having ajuncture therebetween, means for lengthening said capsule to a precisionlength while said cap and body members remain interfitted, saidprecision length being less than the total length of said cap plus thelength of said body, comprising:

a. supporting means for carrying the capsule while said capsule has alength less than said precision length, with the longitudinal axis ofsaid capsule arranged in a predetermined direction;

b. means for moving said supporting means and capsule along apredetermined path which is generally transverse to said predetermineddirection while said capsule has less than said precision length;

0. a pair of stop members located at opposed sides along said path andspaced apart from one another at a predetermined distance correspondingto said precision length, and

d. positive pressure fluid jet means spaced from and located generallyintermediate said stop members and aimed substantially at said juncturewhen said capsule is located between said stop members, thereby slidingthe cap and body relative to each other to move the ends of said cap andbody away from each other until they contact the respective stopmembers, whereby said capsule is expanded to said precision length whilesaid cap and body remain interfitted.

2. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said stop members arecarried on said carrier.

3. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said stop members areindependently supported alongside the path of movement of said carrier.

4. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein retainer means are providedabove said capsule carriers and said capsules, extending along the pathof movement of said capsules above said junctures.

5. The apparatus defined in claim 4, wherein said fluid jet meansincludes a passageway extending downwardly through said retainer means.

6. The apparatus defined in claim 5, wherein said passageway is flaredoutwardly at the bottom surface of said retainer means.

7. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein centering means is providedin the form of a plurality of guides arranged to center the capsules ontheir carriers before said capsules reach said fluid jet means.

8. In an apparatus for precision printing of capsules which are randomlyarranged in a container, said capsules comprising slidably interfittedcap and body portions with a juncture therebetween and having randomlengths which are less than the desired precision length, thecombination which comprises a rotating drum having a plurality ofcavities arranged to collect said random length capsules individually insubstantially uniformly spaced relation to each other, means fororienting said capsules with their axes transversely arranged relativeto the surface movement of said drum, conveyor means movable adjacent tosaid drum, means for depositing said random length capsules on saidconveyor means with their axes transversely arranged relative to themovement of said conveyor, means providthe cap and body portions, andmeans for printing upon I the thus treated capsules while said capsuleshave said precision length and while said capsules are carried on saidconveyor.

9. The apparatus defined in claim 8, wherein the fluid 15 air.

10. The apparatus defined in claim 8, wherein means are provided fordriving the printing means faster than said conveyor, thereby spinprinting said capsules.

11. In a method of processing capsules to precision length for printing,said capsules comprising slidably interfitted cap and body portions withajuncture therebetween and having random lengths which are less than thedesired precision length, the steps which comprise moving said capsulessuccessively in a predetermined path with the capsule axes at an angleto said path, projecting a fluid jet upon each said capsule in a mannerto separate its ends, and limiting the extent of said separation of saidends to a precision length which is greater than said random lengths butless than the sum of the lengths of the body portion and the capportion.

12. The method defined in claim 11, wherein said limiting step isperformed by blocking the movement of said ends away from one another ata predetermined distance which corresponds to said precision length.

13. The method defined in claim 12, wherein the capsule is alsorestrained against upward displacement under the influence of saidfluid.

14. The method defined in claim 11, wherein the fluid is air.

15. The method defined in claim 11, wherein the cap and body portionsare preliminarily telescoped toward one another to shorten the capsuleto an overall capsule length which is less than said precision length.

1. In an apparatus for processing a capsule having interfittedlongitudinally relatively slidable body and cap members having ajuncture therebetween, means for lengthening said capsule to a precisionlength while said cap and body members remain interfitted, saidprecision length being less than the total length of said cap plus theleNgth of said body, comprising: a. supporting means for carrying thecapsule while said capsule has a length less than said precision length,with the longitudinal axis of said capsule arranged in a predetermineddirection; b. means for moving said supporting means and capsule along apredetermined path which is generally transverse to said predetermineddirection while said capsule has less than said precision length; c. apair of stop members located at opposed sides along said path and spacedapart from one another at a predetermined distance corresponding to saidprecision length, and d. positive pressure fluid jet means spaced fromand located generally intermediate said stop members and aimedsubstantially at said juncture when said capsule is located between saidstop members, thereby sliding the cap and body relative to each other tomove the ends of said cap and body away from each other until theycontact the respective stop members, whereby said capsule is expanded tosaid precision length while said cap and body remain interfitted.
 2. Theapparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said stop members are carried onsaid carrier.
 3. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said stopmembers are independently supported alongside the path of movement ofsaid carrier.
 4. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein retainermeans are provided above said capsule carriers and said capsules,extending along the path of movement of said capsules above saidjunctures.
 5. The apparatus defined in claim 4, wherein said fluid jetmeans includes a passageway extending downwardly through said retainermeans.
 6. The apparatus defined in claim 5, wherein said passageway isflared outwardly at the bottom surface of said retainer means.
 7. Theapparatus defined in claim 1, wherein centering means is provided in theform of a plurality of guides arranged to center the capsules on theircarriers before said capsules reach said fluid jet means.
 8. In anapparatus for precision printing of capsules which are randomly arrangedin a container, said capsules comprising slidably interfitted cap andbody portions with a juncture therebetween and having random lengthswhich are less than the desired precision length, the combination whichcomprises a rotating drum having a plurality of cavities arranged tocollect said random length capsules individually in substantiallyuniformly spaced relation to each other, means for orienting saidcapsules with their axes transversely arranged relative to the surfacemovement of said drum, conveyor means movable adjacent to said drum,means for depositing said random length capsules on said conveyor meanswith their axes transversely arranged relative to the movement of saidconveyor, means providing a fluid jet above said conveyor aimed at saidjuncture between said cap and said body portions and in a directiontending to separate the cap and body portions of said capsules, spacedapart restricting means limiting such separation to a precision lengthgreater than said random length but less than the sum of the lengths ofthe cap and body portions, and means for printing upon the thus treatedcapsules while said capsules have said precision length and while saidcapsules are carried on said conveyor.
 9. The apparatus defined in claim8, wherein the fluid is air.
 10. The apparatus defined in claim 8,wherein means are provided for driving the printing means faster thansaid conveyor, thereby spin printing said capsules.
 11. In a method ofprocessing capsules to precision length for printing, said capsulescomprising slidably interfitted cap and body portions with a juncturetherebetween and having random lengths which are less than the desiredprecision length, the steps which comprise moving said capsulessuccessively in a predetermined path with the capsule axes at an angleto said path, projecting a fluid jet upon each said capsule in a mannerto separate its ends, and limiting the extent of said separation of Saidends to a precision length which is greater than said random lengths butless than the sum of the lengths of the body portion and the capportion.
 12. The method defined in claim 11, wherein said limiting stepis performed by blocking the movement of said ends away from one anotherat a predetermined distance which corresponds to said precision length.13. The method defined in claim 12, wherein the capsule is alsorestrained against upward displacement under the influence of saidfluid.
 14. The method defined in claim 11, wherein the fluid is air. 15.The method defined in claim 11, wherein the cap and body portions arepreliminarily telescoped toward one another to shorten the capsule to anoverall capsule length which is less than said precision length.